2-lb weight gain in one day?

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Is that possible?

So my normal weigh-in day is Sunday but I was feeling so good yesterday I thought I'd weigh in a day early. My scale said I lost 4 lbs - 4 whole lbs. I was ecstatic. I didn't log it, though, because it wasn't really my true day to weigh in.

I try to do one low-cal day and one high-cal day per week to keep my body guessing. Yesterday was my high-cal day. So last night I ate thin crust cheese pizza and a salad.

This morning I weigh in and I gained 2 lbs since yesterday. 2 lbs? Is that possible? Needless to say I'm a little disappointed because I've worked so hard this week.
Plus my hip measurements aren't going down at all. I've lost 5 inches in my waist but nothing in my hips. How can that be???

I'm not upset at the 2 lbs - ANY poundage lost is wonderful but going from being ecstatic to today, well, it's a tad disheartening.

Could it be muscle gain? Gee, I sure hope so. I don't want to feel disgusted at myself for eating pizza last night. I've been so good with my eating habits this whole month.

SARAHMAC1978
I actually just blogged about something similar to this today! Typically when I have a lot to drink and/or eat over the weekend, my Sunday weigh-in is higher than it ends up being by Tuesday or Wednesday. I chalk it up to water weight. As soon as I get back to my regular routine (balanced diet), my weight usually dips back down to where it ought to be.

Your situation might be the same if you're doing a high-cal/low-cal alternation. Because if your high-cal meal choices contain less nutritious items (such as being high sodium), it's totally possible for your body to hold on to extra water.

Like Natelie 813 said, I'd try drinking a bunch of water to flush out your system to see if that makes a difference. 3124 days ago

VRR1970
Ahh...you have the same problem I face often. Weight fluctuation. I used to get really bummed about it. But it could be either growth in muscle, water retention, high sodium, or stress. But don't sweat it. Keep up what you are doing and it will pass. You are on your way!

SAMIAM_0702
Most important is the 2 lbs for the week. The difference in the 2 days could easily be water, Retaining today or de-hydration yesterday.

On the bright side of losing inches in the waist and nothing in the hips, your waist to hip ratio has decreased. Studies indicate that body shape waist/hip ratio is an indicator of potential health issues (coronary heart disease, diabetes and stroke). Below is a link to a ratio calculator:

NATALIE813
You discovered the danger in weighing daily. There are so many factors that go into the number on the scale. One possibility is the cheese pizza you ate... it could be very high in sodium causing you to retain some extra fluids. Drinking more water could help your system rid itself of that extra water.

It could be muscle, but in one day, I doubt it. However, I'm not saying it isn't. More importantly you did lose 2 lbs. A great amount for one week. My doctor told me the other day, the slower a person loses weight usually the longer they maintain their weight loss, so don't be discouraged by a slow weight loss. Also, the slower you lose weight the more likely any loose skin will regain its elasticity and tone.

I'm not sure what you mean by a low calorie day and a high calorie day... a good balanced diet with a daily caloric limit is the best route. I'd go with two medium calorie days.

Also, there is no such thing as spot reduction. Meaning, your body will choose for itself where it wants to use stored fat. Yours is obviously using it from your waist (5 inches is amazing, good for you!), and not from your hips. Give your body time, it will get to the fat stored in your hips too, if you keep working your program.

JEANNEROBERTSON
Don't be too hard on yourself!! You have done great all week and actually lost weight. Yes, I have gained 2-3 pounds in one day when our office eats Mexican!! I blamed it on the extra sodium always, and it did come off after a day or two of drinking a lot of water, exercising and watching my sodium which I normally do -- but, when the boss is buying lunch you pick the least dangerous food to eat and enjoy!

Hang in there and do not get discouraged. We can gain a few pounds in one day easily, but a lot of times it is mostly water weight.